On My Style Radar: Spice Tones

A Pinch Of Spice…

Trying on that pretty wool jacket in “nutmeg” from the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale (see pic HERE) has reignited my obsession with the spice/rust/terra-cotta/cognac family of colors. While I ultimately decided that particular jacket was heavier than I needed, I’d love to find something in a similar color and lighter weight.

Above:

These warm spicy tones are usually considered fall colors, and are often more available beginning this time of year. But I don’t think they have to be relegated to autumn-only wear. It’s really more the weight of a piece than color that determines what’s seasonally appropriate these days.

19 Comments

Roseg

July 24, 2017 / 3:07 am

We have a long Summer-Fall transitional season and as soon as the days get shorter, say mid-August, I like to start running darker colored summer weight fabrics into my rotation. I do a light rust with light gray and then swap darker tones and/add layers. That wool jacket will work for my climate, towards the end of the period. It’s hard to think about with the current scorching weather, but this is the time for the best selection and size availability.

Cognac, pumpkin, paprika, cinnamon: all are good colors for me and great for fall, my favorite time of year. I agree these colors can and should be worn year round, but I still associate them with cool evenings and cooling temperatures. I enjoy your blog and appreciate your fashion eye. Thanks for writing!

I always check Pantone to see what colors designers will be using for that particular season and year. That color is called Autumn Maple and is on this fall 2017 Pantone color block. I expect to see more clothing in this color as it’s featured as one of the premier colors Pantone has chosen. My personal favorite is called Shaded Spruce which is a beautiful deep evergreen with just a hint of jade.

Susan, thanks for this very welcome note of spice. It’s the dead of summer here (the Midwest) — hot, hot, hot! And I’m so ready for cooler climes and “real” clothes again. I lived in SoCal for 20 years and enjoyed it. But I do enjoy living in a four-season world and the opportunities to vary my wardrobe more than was possible in L.A. This spicey color palette is lovely and nudges me past my over-reliance on black and greys.

Susan, I’ve seen the Eileen Fisher “Paprika” cotton jacket (I work in the Calgary Eileen Fisher store) and am confident it will be light enough for you to wear in California this fall. I love these spice tones, but alas these colours just do not work for me. I am excited about the blues and greens in the EF fall collections.

Susan, I have a question about the Kenneth Cole coat. You felt it was too heavy for your needs. I will be in the San Francisco area most of this December and was thinking it would be perfect for my stay there
(40s-60s F). Do you think it would be a good weight for travel and that area? The rest of the time I live in Philly. There is no Nordstrom near so I would have to order online.

Hi Susan, I think it could definitely work for San Francisco with a long-sleeved top underneath, though you may also want to have a good raincoat too. That time of year can be wet in Northern California. I’d wear the Kenneth Cole coat here in the winter, but just couldn’t justify another winter coat in my wardrobe.

Hello! I’m just echoing Susan regarding San Francisco in December. I live about 10 miles from the city and “winter” in Northern California is our rainy season. So, the weight of the coat is no doubt perfect, but be prepared with an umbrella!

I just wanted to let you know how much I enjoy your blog. It was forwarded to me by a friend because I am a francophile as well. I love the refreshing style and travel posts nad find them inspiring. An added bonus for me is that you too, are a Californian, and we struggle with micro climates, so must dress in layers. Thanks for the great posts and all of the hard work that goes into creating a great website and blog.

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